Turbine-motor.



No. 785,207. PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

G.FERRI.

TURBINE MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET'1.

I Witnesses: @{iiiw i= v PATENTBD MAR. 21, 1905. e. PERRI. TURBINE MOTOR, "APP 'IuATmN PIL'ED AUG. 29, 1904.

4 SHEETS-$31231 Al /Ill @WW R F f NFITE'D STATES Patented March 21, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEREMIAS FERRI, OF BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN FORSTER, OF ST. HELENS, LANOASHIRE, ENGLAND.

TU RBlNE-IVIOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '785,2 07, dated March 21, 1905.

Application filed August 29,1964, Serial No. 222,600.

It (all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEREMIAS FERRI, a citizen ofArgentina,and a resident of Birkenhead,

Chester county, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Turbine- Motors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to turbine motors, and has special reference to improved constructions of the valve for regulating the admission of the driving fluid and of the vanes acted upon by that fluid.

For the purpose of this specification the in orifices can be regulated in order to suit the pressure and other conditions of working, andif there are a number of sets or rings of vanes each set is preferably provided with its own valve, which may be regulated independently of or in some cases simultaneously with the valves belonging to the other sets. When it is desired to make a turbine according to this invention reversible,the vanes are made in two parts capable of relative movement, one part being, for instance, pivoted so that the tail of the vane can be inclined either one way or the other to the front fixed portion. In such a case the valves, in addition to regulating the size-of the orifices through which the steam enters to the vanes, are made so that they can control the direction in which the steam passes. Conveniently the vanes are carried upon a supporting member madein two parts,

which will allow of the necessary movement taking place, and this movement may be brought about in any convenient way,although it is preferred to construct the parts so that it is caused automatically by the reversal of direction of entry of the steam through the valve.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1s a longitudinal central section through one construction of turbine according to this invention, portions being shown in elevation. Fig.

2 is a transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig.

1, portions being broken away. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a valve, its casing, and a vane bearing member separate from the 5 5 rest of the machine with parts broken away. Fig. 4 is a side elevation. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and

8 are diagrams illustrating the action of the valves, and Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing valve-orifices of modified shape and vanes with their fixed portions set at an angle to the .axis of the turbine.

Like letters indicate like parts tl'iroughout the drawings.

With reference first to Fig. l, Ais the casing of the turbine, having a steam-inlet atA and an outlet at A Mounted centrally in the casing is a shaft B, having keyed to it three'drums O, O, and G which form the central portion of-the rotatable part of the 7 turbine. Upon each of these drums are mounted vane-carrying members, each comprising two portions, one, D, keyed to the drum and the other, D, capable of moving relatively to it within the limits allowed by a slot D in the part D and a key E, which lies in the slot and forms part of a ring E, attached to the fixed portion D by screws E (See Fig. 3.) The movable portion D of the vane-carrying member is in the form of a ring or annulus 8O slotted, as at D Fig. 3, to receive radial vanes, and spokes D are left at intervals round the ring to strengthen it. Some of these spokes are shown unshaped in Fig. 3; but in practice they are preferably shaped to correspond 5 with the separate vanes. The vanes are in two parts. One part, F, is fixed into the slots D in the ring D at any suitable angle to the axis of the turbine, and the other, F, is pivoted in the same ring D by screw-pins F and is 9 provided with a pin F guided in a groove D in the fixed part D of the vane-carrying member. The normal working position of the vanes F F can be best seen by reference to Fig. 1, which shows the vanes set for a right-handed or clockwise rotation of the turbine if viewed from the left-hand side of the figure. By moving the portion D of the vane-carrying member relatively tothe part D all the tails of the vanes F are caused to turn about their pivot-pins F and to pointin the other direction.

Held stationary in the casing in front of each set or ring of vanes is an annular valve casing or chamber comprising two plates G G. having inlet and outlet orifices Gr and G and containing two valve-rings H H. The ring H is formed with a series of inclined projecting surfaces H having orifices between them, and the ring H is formed with corresponding projections H having similar orifices between them. The surfaces H and H 3 cooperate when the rings are placed together in their casing, forming the desired shape of orifice, and the movement of the rings relatively to one another and to the stationary casing effects the opening and closing of the inlet and outlet ports G and G and determines also in which direction steam shall pass through the valve to the vanes. This action may be understood by reference to Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, which are developed sectional plans of a portion of the valve and its casing in various positions. Fig. 5 shows the valve in such a position that steam can pass through the ports G G which are fully open, in the direction indicated by the arrow. In Fig. 6 steam can no longer pass from one side of the casing to the other, for the openings which existed between the inclined surfaces H and H are now closed by the upward movement of the ring H. In Fig. 7 steam is still shut off; but this has been brought about not as in Fig. 6 by the independent upward movement of the ring H from the position shown in Fig. 5, but by raising the ring H from the position shown in that figure. This has had the effect of raising both the rings into the position shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 8 the ring H has been advanced from the position it occupied in Fig. 7, and steam can now pass through partially-open valve-passages in the opposite direction. As will be hereinafter explained, this movement need not have been a separate independent advance movement of the ring H, but may have been accomplished by moving the ring H far enough to carry the ring H into its advanced position and then withdrawing it.

It will be seen that the drum C bears three sets or rings of vanes each with its separate valve-casing and valve, that the drum G bears three sets of larger diameter, and the drum G two sets of still larger size. These vanes and valves are not particularly described, for they are all substantially similar, and the arrangement is designed to form what may be termed a multiple-expansion turbine.

In order that there may be no risk of steam leaking between the inner surfaces of the stationary valve-casing G G and the rotating vane-carrying member D or the ring E, mounted thereon, steam-tight rings J, Figs. 1 and 3, are provided. These rings rest in a groove formed between the end of the ring E and a plate K, which is screwed onto the end of each of the drums. In cases where the drum is dispensed with the plate K can be attached to the shaft, the ring E resting between it and the stationary valve-casing. The rings J, which are in between one set of vanes and the adjacent valve-casing of the same drum, are held in a substantially similar manner, one side of the containing-groove being formed by the end of the. Vane-carrying member D instead of'the ring K.

In the ordinary operation of the turbine the reversal of the direction in which steam is allowed to enter through the valves onto the rings of vanes automatically alters the set of the vanes, for the steam when first the valve .is reversed impinges on the fixed vanes F, and

before it can rotate the turbine it must force the movable portion D of the vane-carrying member round so far as the slot D and key E allow. This movement causes the movable portion F of the vanes to swing round about their pivot-pins F and place themselves in the proper position for the altered direction of the steam. In order that the vanes, if desired, may be set without the action of the steam, the movable portion D of the vanecarrying member has attached to it at its circumference a band having teeth or projections D, and a toothed sector L, Fig. 2, is mounted in a suitable extension A of the casing A, so that by turning the sector with a bar or lever the movable portion D of the vane-carrying member can be partially rotated to set the vanes. Normally the toothed sectors L, of which there is preferably one to each ring of vanes, lie on one side or other of the casing extension A quite clear of the teeth D.

The following is adescription of the mechanism for operating the valves, which is shown, by way of example, in the drawings: The front ring H has a lug M bolted to it at its upper portion, this lug projecting up into a square box-like extension A of the casing A. Pivoted to the lug M is a connecting-rod M, which passes out through a stu ffing-box A and is connected at its other end to a lever M. The other end of this lever is connected, through a stud M to one arm of a bell-crank lever M. This lever M is carried free to turn within limits upon a shaft M, working in bearings M attached to the casing A. The rear ring H is similarly provided with a lug N and connecting-rod N; but the outer end of the connecting-rod N is joined directly to a crank N which is mounted on and keyed t0 the shaft M The lever M is fulcrumed to the adjacent crank N by a clamping-stud N and is slotted, as at M so that the position of the fulcrum can be altered, if desired, by slackening the clamping-stud N 5 and turning an adj usting-screw N. (See Fig. 4.) The cra'nk N is slotted at N to allow the stud M topass through it and to let that stud have the necessary amount of movement when the lever M is moved independently of the crank 5 N by means of the bell-crank lever M". As shown in Fig. 4:, all the valves are provided with lugs,connecting-rods, and cranks N ,or levers M and M, as above described, the shaft M being common to all the cranks and levers. 1 All the bell-crank levers M are connected together by a rod M and one of them, shown, by way of example, as near the center of the turbine in Fig. 4, is provided with a handle 'M", by which the rod and all the bell-crank I levers can be moved simultaneously. The shaft H can be partially rotated to move all the cranks N connecting-rods N, and rear valve-rings H by turning a hand-wheel P. This wheel is attached to a screw P, which 2 passes through a nut P carried in trunnions in the end of an arm P rigidly mounted on the shaft The end of the screw P is held free to rotate in a socket P, pivoted, as at P to a bracket P", attached to the casing A.

The front valve-rings 6., those operated directly by the handle M and the bellcrank levers M*may be looked upon as pri-- marily the regulating-valves, for the size of the openings in the valve may bevaried by 3 moving these rings independently of the rings H. On the other hand, the chief function of the rear rings H, operated from the cranks N through the wheel P, screw P, and arm P is to bring about the reversal of di- 3 5 rection of entry of the steam, although incidentally reversal and regulation may in some cases be brought about by movement of the wheel P and screw P. In such cases,however, there is usually a secondary movement of the 40 front valve-rings H, although the handle M operating them, may not be actually touched.

, To make this action clear, reference is again made to the diagrams forming Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8. Suppose now that the valves are set as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5, with the orifices fully open to admit steam in the direction indicated by the arrows. If it be desired to partially or entirely shut off steam, this can be done by moving the regulating-handle M 5 which, through the bell-crank levers M, the levers N and connecting-rods M, causes the valve-rings H to advance independently of the rings H into the position shown in Fig.

6. Suppose, however, that instead of this action it be desired to reverse the turbine. Again starting from the position shown in Fig. 5 the wheel P will now be turned; but it will be seen by reference to Fig. 5 that when the ring H is moved it must necessarily when the valves are in this position carry the ring H with it, and this movement may be continued until,- as shown in Fig. 8, the surfaces H of the ring H are so far advanced that steam could pass through the valve in 5 the opposite direction if the rings H were brought back. Thus reversal may be effected by turning the wheel P too far and then bringing it back again, although, of course, it will understood that the reversal might be brought about in two stagesfirst turning the wheel P to bring the two rings into the position shown in Fig. 7 and then moving the regulating-handle M alone to open the ports for the desired amount in the reverse direc-- tion. The cooperating surfaces of the valverings may be formed so that the orificesfor the passage of the steam may be of any desired shape. For instance, in Figs. 9 and l0 the entrances of the orifices are widened and the inlet-openings G in the plate G are rounded to give freer passage for the steam and to guide it in the required direction. If desired, the orifices, which can be of any convenient number, may be made of graduallyincreasing cross-section, so that the steam may expand as it passes through.

In Figs. 1 and 3 the fixed portions F of the vanes are shown placed so that their length is parallel to the axisof the turbinez'. 6., normal to the plane of the valve-rings. This is not necessarily so, and in some cases it is preferred to fix the vanes F at an angle, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. This gives an increase of efliciency when running in the forward direction'that is, when the valves are opened,as indicated in the figuresalthough there may be some loss in efficiency when running in the reverse direction. For the same reason the fixed portions F of the vanes are sometimes made more concave on their front than on their back faces, as shown in Fig. 9.

Although the drums C C C are described and illustrated as being keyed upon the shaft B, it will of course be understood that they.

may in practice form part of the shaft itself. Further, in some cases the drums may be dispensed with and the vane-carrying members mounted upon the sh aft, this construction giving a greater depth to the valve-orifices and to the vanes.

If mechanical means are used for setting the vanes, any-convenient construction may be employed. For instance, a friction-brake may be provided which can be worked from the outside of the casing and operate against the movable part of the vane-carrying member. Again, the vane-carrying member or the band surrounding it may be provided with cavities instead of teeth to engage with the sectors L, or in some cases it may be advisable to. provide the vane-carrying member with merely a roughened surface instead of either teeth or cavities, the engaging surface of the sector L being of course modified accordingly.

It is of course to be understood that vanes according to this invention having two portions movable relatively to each other for the purpose described may be used in any convenient type of turbine and also that the improved construction of valve may be used with sets of fixed blades. Further, the invention is obviously not restricted to a turbine of the type illustrated, in which steam acts successively upon sets of rings of progressively-larger diameters, but may be applied to any well-known form of turbinefor instance, to a cylindrical turbine having rings of vanes of one diameter. Further, any expedients known in turbine construction, such as allowing the steam to enter the casing centrally and operate simultaneoasly on vanes placed on each side of it in order to reduce end thrust, may be employed. In like manner balancing or compensating pistons may be used.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a turbine the combination of a casing, an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, a ring of vanes mounted upon the shaft and a ring or disk valve controlling the amount and direction of the operating fluid admitted to the vanes, said valve consisting of a casing and valve-rings within the casing movable relatively to each other and to the casing substantially as set forth.

2. In a turbine the combination of a casing, an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, a plurality of sets of vanes mounted upon said shaft, a valve controlling the admission of the operating fluid to each set of vanes, said valve consisting of a casing and valve-rings within the casing movable relatively to each other and to the casing, substantially as set forth.

3. In a turbine the combination of a casing, an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, a plurality of sets of vanes mounted upon said shaft, a valve controlling the admission of the operating fluid to each set of vanes, said valve consisting of a casing, valve-rings within the casing movable relatively to each other and to the casing, and means for moving the valve-rings to reverse the direction or regulate the amount of the operating fluid admitted to the vanes substantially as set forth.

4. In a turbine the combination of a casing, an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, vanes mounted upon said shaft, such vanes comprising two portions movable relatively to each other, a valve to admit the operating fluid to the vanes and means for reversing the vanes substantially as set forth.

5. In a turbine the combination of a casing, an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, vanes mounted upon said shaft, such vanes comprising two portions movable relatively to each other and a valve to control the amount and direction of the operating fluid admitted to the vanes, substantially as set forth.

6. In a turbine the combination of a casing,

an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, a vanecarrying member mounted on said shaft, such member being in two portions one fixed and the other movable relatively to it, vanes mounted upon the member such vanes comprising two portions movable relatively to each other and a valve to control the amount and direction of the operating fluid admitted to the vanes, substantially as set forth.

7 In a turbine the combination of a casing, an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, vanecarrying members in two portions supported on said shaft one portion fixed relatively to the shaft and the other partially rotatable, vanes each in two parts one fixed and the other pivoted mounted in said members, a valve controlling the amount and direction of the operating fluid admitted to each set of vanes, said valve consisting of a casing and valve-rings within the casing movable relatively to each other and to the casing, and gear for moving the valve-rings to reverse the direction and regulate the amount of the operating fluid admitted, said gear being coupled together to secure the simultaneous operation of the valves, substantially as set forth.

8. In a turbine the combination of a casing, an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, vanecarrying members in two portions supported on said shaft one portion fixed relatively to the shaft and the other partially rotatable, means for partially rotating the movable portion of the vane-carrying member, vanes each in two parts one fixed and the other pivoted mounted in said members, a valve controlling the amount and direction of the operating fluid admitted to each set of vanes, said valve consisting of a casing and valve-rings within the casing movable relatively to each other and to the casing, and gear for moving the valverings to reverse the direction and regulate the amount of the operating fluid admitted, said gear being coupled together to secure the simultaneous operation of the valves substantially as set forth.

9. In a turbine the combination of a casing, an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, drums on such shaft, vane-carrying members in two portions mounted on said drums, one portion of each member being fixed to the drum and the other partially rotatable thereon, means for partially rotating the movable portion of the vane-carrying member, vanes each in two parts one fixed and the other pivoted mounted in said members,a valve controlling the amount and direction of the operating fluid admitted to each set of vanes said valve consisting of a casing and valve-rings within the casing movable relatively to each other and to the casing and gear for moving the valve-rings to reverse the direction and regulate the amount of the operating fluid admitted, said gear being coupled together to secure the simultaneous operation of the valves, substantially as set forth.

10. In a turbine the combination of a casing, an inlet and outlet for the operating fluid, a shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, drums on such shaft, vane-carrying members in two portions mounted on said drums one portion of each member being fixed to the drum and the other partially rotatable thereon, means for partially rotating the movable portion of the vane-carrying member, vanes each in two parts one fixed and the other pivoted mounted in said members, a valve controlling the amount and direction of the operating fluid admitted to each set of vanes, said valve consisting of a casing and valve-rings within the casing movable relatively to each other and to the casing, gear for moving the valve-rings to reverse the direction and regulate the amount of the operating fluid admitted, said gear being cou- .pled together to secure the simultaneous op- V GEREMIAS FERR I.

Witnesses:

JOHN FORSTER, SAMUEL FoRsTER. 

